Despite the ignominy of becoming the first Champions League winners to bow out at the group stage, Lampard, who is just three goals shy of Bobby Tambling’s club record tally of 202, insisted more European success was still firmly on Chelsea’s radar.

“If it’s hard (to focus on the Europa League after dropping out of the Champions League) then we’d better change that very quickly because we’re in this competition now so we have to get our attitude right.

“The Europa League is a fantastic competition to try and win, so that’s what we have to do.”

Team News

Frank Lampard will have to wait for his 200th Chelsea goal having been rested for the Europa League game with Sparta Prague.

Lampard, 34, has moved on to 199 goals – three short of Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 – with a run of five goals from six matches.

But Benitez is keeping the veteran fresh for Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City.